Liverpool Should Play Arsenal Every Day

Liverpool came into their match against perennial top-four candidate Arsenal needing a result, particularly a win.  While there was plenty of reason to think they would be able to get it, there were reasons to doubt whether it would happen too.

Fortunately, the Reds came to play and the Gunners stayed away.  Liverpool put out a much more balanced side, with no less focus on attack.

After my own claims about the intelligence behind starting Lucas at center back (yes, I'm taking credit), the Reds put in Ragnar Klavan.  It may not have had an immediate impact as Liverpool still look shaky on the counter, but it did have a calming effect on the team.

Liverpool looked much more focused and streamlined on their attacks, right from the get go.  They came out and took the game to Arsenal and were rewarded for their efforts.

Even more impressive than Liverpool's intensity was the crispness of their attack.  Not only did they score nice goals, but the plays that led up to each goal were discussion worthy as well.

Roberto Firmino put Liverpool ahead just nine minutes into the game.  The buildup was just as satisfying as the finish.

Coming off a Simon Mignolet kick, the ball took a bounce through the midfield.  Coutinho just flicked it to the right for Sadio Mane.  Mane's speed allowed him to gain enough space for, admittedly, an awkward cross.  However it found it's way to Firmino, who kept his composure and allowed the goalkeeper and defenders to fall like bowling pins in front of him.

The game stayed close until the 40th minute when Mane would get his just-desserts.

2-0 MANE!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/LvnefERe9b

— Liverpool Gifs (@LiverpoolGifs) March 4, 2017

Mane's finish was fine, but again the buildup was just as good. Liverpool worked it up the left this time, pinged some passes around the box and then found a wide-open Mane on the back door. It was a sight. Also, it was not the first time the prolific winger stung the Gunners.

Sadio Mané goal vs Arsenal at the start of the season 🔥👊 #LFC pic.twitter.com/0iG26LrdJm

— Anything Liverpool (@Anything_LFC) March 4, 2017

The way the game played out, you honestly wish this year's Liverpool could play Arsenal every game. Granted, the first game was too close at 4-3 but Liverpool came out and played masterfully offensively (if not defensively).

 The Reds had an even better team performance in getting the season sweep over Arsenal. The offense was not as strong, but it did not need to be.

 With the exception of Arsenal's initial boost from the substitute of Alexis Sanchez, Liverpool dominated the midfield. Liverpool did not have to do a ton of defending, but they looked pretty comfortable in most situations where they did.  Mignolet was not called on to save the team's butts like in previous games.

 It was a fun game to watch and, win or lose, that has not always been the case in recent times. Now, if the team could just bottle up these efforts and apply it to the teams mid-table and below.

Random Thoughts:
- It's fun to consider ourselves the third place team in the league, but it is hard to do so.  We are currently even on points with Manchester City and they have two games in hand.  More importantly, it gets the team into the top four though, where they are now two points up on Arsenal.

- Any suggestions on other suggestions I should make for the team?  Clearly they listened and put Klavan in and that seemed to help, so I have all the power now.

- This is generally a Liverpool blog, but what is up with Arsenal sitting Sanchez?  The guy is leading the league in goals.  We will take it, but it was definitely a head scratcher.

- On a side note, nobody reading this will get it likely, but my wife apparently thinks Jurgen Klopp looks like Principal Brown from The Amazing World of Gumball.  I don't know about her sometimes.